Signups mean nothing if users don’t stick around.

In a product-led model, activation is the most important metric after acquisition. It’s when a user:

• Reaches the core value of your product
• Has a reason to come back without being nudged
• Starts to form a habit or integrate your tool into their workflow

If you only optimize for acquisition, you’ll churn leads before they convert.

Table of contents

1. Template: Plan your PLG tactics
2. Define your product’s “aha” moment
3. Guide users to value faster
4. Use behavioral nudges, not email blasts
5. How I designed Taskly’s PLG flow
6. Sidebar: Key takeaways

Template: Plan your PLG tactics

📎 [Download the PLG Tactics Template (PDF)]
Includes: Aha moment mapping, onboarding flow worksheet, behavioral nudge ideas

Define your product’s “aha” moment

The “aha” moment is the first time a user experiences value — and it should come fast.

For Taskly, the aha moment is:
“My first recurring task runs automatically without me doing anything.”

To define yours:

• Ask: what action shows that the user gets the product?
• Look at behavior patterns of retained users
• Build towards that moment in your onboarding and UX

Guide users to value faster

Users don’t read docs. They explore.

Design onboarding that shows — not tells:

• Pre-fill data or offer templates to reduce friction
• Use simple walkthroughs or tooltips (no overlays that block flow)
• Highlight only one action at a time — too many options = cognitive overload

✅ For Taskly, we showed 3 pre-made workflow templates during onboarding based on team role.

Use behavioral nudges, not email blasts

PLG is about contextual help, not spam.

Replace generic drip campaigns with:

• In-app prompts triggered by behavior (or lack of it)
• Reminder emails based on usage (not time)
• Progress indicators inside the product (e.g. “2 of 3 workflows created”)

The goal: remove friction without overwhelming the user.

How I designed Taskly’s PLG flow

Here’s a simple activation journey we mapped for Taskly:

Stage	Trigger	Action
Signup	New user	Offer role-based templates
Engagement	First task created	Show success tooltip
Activation	First task auto-runs	Highlight time saved
Expansion	3+ tasks created	Prompt to invite teammates

It’s lightweight but built around value and timing — not guesswork.

Sidebar: Key takeaways

• Activation is the real driver of product-led growth
• Define your aha moment based on real user behavior
• Use onboarding that removes friction — not adds steps
• Trigger nudges based on actions, not time
• Focus on value discovery early in the journey

Need a second opinion on your GTM strategy — or support putting it into motion?Drop me a message.